Christmas Village in Philadelphia announces its return to LOVE Park for its 10th anniversary. Philadelphia’s largest holiday attraction will be the first event to be held in newly renovated LOVE Park (1500 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102). From Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 23th, 2017) through Christmas Eve (Sunday, December 24th, 2017), Christmas Village will transform LOVE Park into an authentic open-air German Christmas market with holiday sights and sounds featuring thousands of twinkling lights, festive Christmas decorations, live music at the main stage, children’s activities and photos with Santa. Shoppers will find high-quality, international and local gifts along with decorations. Visitors are also invited to warm up with a glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate while enjoying the great variety of European food and drinks. Admission is free, with food, drink and shopping pay as you go. Spread the cheer by following @philachristmas on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, liking Christmas Village in Philadelphia on Facebook and visiting http://www.philachristmas.com/.

On May 3, 2017, The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) will honor author James McBride with the Founder’s Award, the institution’s most prestigious accolade, in recognition of the National Book Award winner’s exemplary service to the history community. James McBride and the Good Lord Bird Band, a gospel/jazz quintet, will also perform at the gala.

Les Dames d’Escoffier will honor Philadelphia culinary pioneer Chef Esther McManus on Sunday, September 25th at Outstanding in Her Field, a new annual event to recognize talented women making a difference in the region’s culinary field. The locally sourced harvest farm dinner will be set amidst the vines of Inn of Grace Winery (50 Sweetwater Road, Glen Mills) and paired with its fine wines and will celebrate McManus’ artistry and legacy. McManus is a quiet and behind-the-scenes rockstar in the culinary world - she taught Julia Child how to make the perfect croissant, is considered by many to be the mother of Philly’s artisan bread movement, and currently inspires legions of young cooks at the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill. Funds raised from the event will help fund scholarships for women entering the culinary field. Tickets are on sale now starting at $125 at http://bit.ly/tixlesdamesphl

"I grew up in Louisiana for almost all of my childhood," said Nguyen. "Deep down it will always be home for me. When Hurricane Katrina hit, I felt helpless. With more resources on our hands now, I want to lend a hand, reach a bigger audience and make more of an impact."

The Fried Oyster PoBoy will sell for 2 for $10 or 3 for $13.50. All proceeds will be donated to the Disaster Relief Fund established by the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana.

"It is important for restaurants and/or any business to give back. Our customers support us daily by coming in the restaurant so we have a duty to support the communities in need," Nguyen added. "It may not affect our customers directly but they may have friends or family that were affected. We are all one big community."

The Disaster Relief Fund was established by the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana (501c3 non-profit) to support teachers who have lost their classroom materials during this year’s horrific flooding. The fund gives 100% of the donations directly to Louisiana teachers. Their website features a special application process for those in need of aid, at http://www.apeleducators.org/page/DisasterRelief

Bartram’s Garden (54th Street & Lindbergh Blvd.) has been busy as a bee preparing to host its first ‘BUZZED’ Ice Cream Social during the Philadelphia Honey Festival. On Sunday, September 11, 2016, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, enjoy an exclusive ice cream flavor created by Little Baby’s Ice Cream using ingredients found in the Garden, plus cool off with Art in the Age cocktails and boozy ice cream floats. Treats for children will also be available. While you enjoy, explore the historic gardens and try your hand at period lawn games and authentic country dances. All ages welcome. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for Bartram’s Garden members. Tickets available at bartramsgarden.org/buzzed. Proceeds benefit Bartram’s Garden.

The first annual Women Making History Celebration and Awards Ceremony takes place on Sunday, July 24, 2016, from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Water Works (640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia). The event will bring together some of the most accomplished women in all aspects of business, media, arts, and politics to champion each other’s achievements. Attendees can mix and mingle with award winners, guests from across the country as well as those in legislation who are making history in our country’s capital. This non-partisan event is open to the public. Tickets are $100-175 and include an open bar, a raw bar, endless food and live entertainment. Proceeds from the event benefit Vision 2020: Equality in Sight. In Philadelphia during the year 2020, the organization plans to convene the largest gathering of women leaders in U.S. history. For tickets and details, visit www.WomenMakingHistory.us

Visit Bartram’s Garden (5400 Lindbergh Blvd.) this summer to see a new feature: the Ann Bartram Carr Garden, the only 19th-century flower garden in Philadelphia. The Ann Bartram Carr Garden is the result of a transformative $2.7-million project and marks the first major garden restoration at Bartram’s Garden in nearly a century. Bartram’s Garden, including the new Ann Bartram Carr Garden, is free to those who wish to explore on their own from dawn to dusk. Bartram's Garden is open year-round, with the exception of City-observed holidays.

Philly AIDS Thrift, in South Street Headhouse District, is pleased to award 17 local organizations with $147,000 in grant funding for their work in fighting HIV/AIDS in the Delaware Valley. Funds announced this week will bring PAT’s total contributions to the community to $1,470,000. Monies for the awards comes from two retail operations that turn gently used thrift items into retail sales that fund AIDS Fund and 19 other AIDS service organizations in the five-county region. The new semi-annual grant program started in 2014 as another way to serve the local community and give back. The next request for grant proposals will take place in fall for winter 2016-2017. For more information about grant awards, donations or how to get involved, please visit www.phillyaidsthrift.com or call 215-922-3186.

Inis Nua Theatre Company isn't taking a breather after this fall’s production of Ciphers and five recent Barrymore wins. Enjoy this weekend doubleheader!

CRAICDOWN UNDER COVERInis Nua Theatre Company presents their annual benefit Craicdown Under Cover this Friday, November 21, 2014, at World Cafe Live! (3025 Walnut Street), from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. In honor of Ciphers, Inis Nua's successful fall production, this year's concert benefit features a "spy" theme, with performers doing their versions of the James Bond movie theme songs. Musicians and theatre artists appearing include Mal Whyte, TJ Kong from TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb, as well as the mighty West Philadelphia Orchestra (putting some Balkan swing on James Bond). Hosting the event is Inis Nua fan favorite Damon Bonetti as Le Falcon, the notorious (and goofy) assassin for hire from Inis Nua's 2013 world premiere The Hand of Gaul. Enjoy an evening of dance, music, comedy, raffles and great performances. Ticket sales will support future works by Inis Nua Theatre Company. Tickets are $25 in advance at inisnuatheatre.ticketleap.com and $30 at the door. Help “craic” the code to support future works by Inis Nua.

WORKSHOP FOR CARMILLA: VIDEO NASTYInis Nua Theatre Company presents a free public sharing of a one-week workshop on Carmilla: Video Nasty, an Inis Nua original in development, this Sunday, November 23, 2014, at 6:00pm at Pig Iron School (1417 N 2nd St, Philadelphia). In 1983, a low budget film company tries to adapt Sheridan LeFanu's Gothic horror novella, Carmilla for a direct-to-video audience. With the advent of VCRs, people have the ability to watch video movies in the privacy of their own home. But in 1980's Thatcher Britain, there is no film classification for these videos. And the conservatives are upset about it. They worry that the movies, dubbed "video nasties", will destroy society. Think of the children! What proceeds is a media frenzy and social hysteria ultimately resulting in banning the so-called video nasties. Come see the beginning ideas as the company devises its new work. The workshop is free and open to the public. Register online at inisnuatheatre.ticketleap.com.

WHAT IS NEXT?

Big Fat Quiz of the YearMonday, December 15, 2014, 7:00pmTest your knowledge of the year's events as well as Inis Nua trivia. Admission donation is $15.00 at the door, which includes one free drink. Location is to be announced.

Long Live the Little Knife by David LeddyFebruary 4-22, 2015“You need to keep your wits about you, but you will still be taken in by this hugely enjoyable romp.”—The Guardian. Long Live the Little Knife is a more absurdist take on the double-cross. It’s a fast-paced tale of swindling, dirty tricks and false identities. Husband and wife con artists set out to become the greatest art forgers in the world. What they gain—and what they lose—makes for a shocking, funny and oddly uplifting trip.

Penolope by Enda WalshApril 8-26, 2015“Mr. Walsh has an intense, love-hate relationship with words… And the gorgeous, outlandish sentences and speeches he weaves seem to self-destruct even as they are spoken.”—New York Times. This inspired take on Homer’s The Odyssey finds four absurd men holding vigil in an empty swimming pool. These are the last of the one hundred suitors of Penelope, who has waited ten years for her husband Odysseus to return from the Trojan Wars. Will the great warrior return and slay his rivals? Or will Penelope give up and turn to a new love?

ABOUT INIS NUA THEATRE COMPANY

Inis Nua’s mission is to produce contemporary, provocative plays from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales which reflect those cultures’ new identities in today’s world. Inis Nua also seeks to cultivate and produce contemporary, provocative work from American playwrights who deal with the Irish-American, Welsh-American, Scottish-American and Anglo-American experiences.

To date, Inis Nua has produced one world premiere, seven American premieres and ten Philadelphia premieres. Inis Nua Theatre Company has been the recipient of grants from the Wyncote Foundation, the Pew Center for Arts and Culture through the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative, the Independence Foundation, the Fels Fund, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and the Charlotte Cushman Foundation. Inis Nua Theatre has also had six playwrights visit for their shows.

On October 22, 2014 renowned, Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Eric Bernstein and his colleagues at the Main Line Center for Laser Surgery will contribute their time and talents by offering a 30% discount on all laser hair removal procedures with the proceeds benefitting City of Hope. Dr. Bernstein: “Laser hair removal is one of our most popular services. We gladly sacrifice one day’s proceeds to know that cures for cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS are one day closer.” Dr. Bernstein, through the online web resource The Patient’s Guide, www.patientsguide.com , will be recruiting colleagues to join him. “We are honored to have Dr. Bernstein’s talent and boundless enthusiasm as part of the City of Hope family.” Says Harry Giordano, Senior Director of Development, City of Hope’s Philadelphia Office.